Proteína C reactiva plasmática en el segundo trimestre para predicción de parto pretérmino

Abstract

Objective

To establish the prognostic usefulness of plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein in second trimester for the prediction of preterm delivery.

Materials and method

A case-control study was conducted on a sample of 613 pregnant women attending the Dr. Urquinaona Central Hospital, Maracaibo, Venezuela. Group A (n = 52) women with preterm birth and group B (n = 561) women with term birth, (control group) of pregnant women who had term deliveries. The plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein were compared between the 2 groups.

Results

The mean gestation age at measurement of plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein was 26.2 ± 1.1 weeks in group A and 25.9 ± 1.1 weeks in group B (P = ns). There were no significant differences in maternal age, body mass index or history of preterm labour. Plasma C-reactive protein concentrations were higher in group A (2.1 ± 0.8) than in group B (1.4 ± 0.6 mg/dL (P < .0001). A cut-off value of 1.6 mg/dL had a value under curve of 0.71 with a sensitivity of 71.1%, specificity of 54.1%, positive predictive value of 12.5%, and negative predictive value of 95.3%.

Conclusion

Plasma C-reactive protein concentrations in second trimester are elevated in pregnant women, who later had preterm delivery, but are not useful for predicting this.